Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-12-21
SENSIBLE SUGGESTIONS.
The Best Methods to be Used in Boom
ing This Section.

The Best Methods to be Used in Boom
ing This Section.
EDS. REcoRD-UNIoN In multitude o
counsel there is safety. The numerous
suggestions made by enterprising ard in
telligent citizens as TO the best means to bt
employed to increase the volume OF immi
grafton from the East to Northern anc
central California, show that the subject
has awakened lively interest in the public
mind, and promise to be of great value III
the future, as, from the general discussion
and comparison of ideas, the practical good
sense of our public-spirited citizens will
evolve plan that will combine the best
suggestions which have been elected. l
have been an interested reader of all such
literature as has fallen under my eye, and
have seen much l heartily approve. Still,
| like most of the writers on the subject, L
am not entirely satisfied, but have a pet
hobby of my own.
1t is a waste of time, energy and money
to attempt to stop immigrants en- route to
/ Southern California, and the attempt TO rob
the people of that section of part OF the
harvest they have earned through greater
| intelligence aud enterprise than we have
exhibited, is unworthy of an honorable
and high-minded people. What is needed
Is an enlightened policy, which will edu-
cate the Eastern people by bringing imme-
dlately TO their attention the facts concern
ing the climate, soil. production, health
fulness and general desirability of Northern
and Central California as place of resi-
dence; for, TO succeed, intending immi-
grants must be given this information
through some source which they will &C
cept as trustworthy, before their minds are
ma do TO, T,,t,, Thaxv
must be disabused of the false impressions
which exist among them to our prejudice,
and be taught the truth. This being done,
they Will Tx upon Northern and Central
California as their destination, and the cur
rent now flowing into Southern California
will change its course. or will at least be
divided.
The question to be considered is, how
can reliable information be disseminated
among the greatest number of Eastern peo-
pie? Not while in transit but at their
homes, where they can study it at their
ireside before they have made up their
minds. The distribution of newspapers,
circulars and pamphlets; the holding of
citrus fairs in Eastern cities, and the send
ing of agents East to work up n BOOM are
all very good in their way, but il must be
evident, after little reflection, that under
the most favorable circumstances these
means can be only partially successful.
Their good effects are counteracted, to a
great extent, by the contradictions of south
ern newspapers and agents who do not
scruple 10 declare that the oranges we send
East for exhibition were grown in Southern
California, that the climate Of this section
is cold and inhospitable, aud that it pos
sesses none of the advantages we claim for
II. They have little difficulty in effacing
the good impressions we make, because the
people in the East cannot understand how
the climate on the Pacific coast on the same
parallels of latitude as Pennsylvania can be
as mild as that on the same parallels as
South Carolina.
1t seems to me that we can learn a very
useful lesson from the experience of Los
Angeles, and that, if we but ascertain the
means employed by that section to attract
the attention of Eastern people, and which
succeeded so admirably, we shall have
solved the problem for ourselves. Twenty
years ago Southern California was very
thinly populated, and with the exception
of Los Angeles county, was not regarded
with much favor. 1t was unsought for
and neglected by immigrants, and was de-
voted chiefly to stockraising. A few en-
terprising citizens of Los Angeles deter
mined to make the resources and adyant-
ages with which nature had favored that
oOOiAOll hAOWA W kuC hOlIl, dllu lucI udu
the good sense to adopt the very best
means that could be employed for that
purpose. They prevailed upon the New
York Herald to send special correspon-
dent to write up that part of the State for
publication in that great newspaper. The
Herald send Charles Nordhoff, a thorough
ly competent gentleman. His letters at
tracted great deal of attention, and were
extensively read, and from the time of
their appearance dates the commencement
of the prosperity of the south. He pre-
pared the ground and sowed the seed, and
the people of Los Angeles fortified and
cultivated it diligently, by the distribution
of printed matter and by other means ana
secured rich harvest.
If We succeed, we must folloE that ex-
ample. If we could prevail upon two great
papers like the New York Herald and
Chicago Times for instance, one published
in the East and the other in the West, to
send special correspondents here to write
up Northern and Central California, they
would accomplish more in six months for
US than we could 90 in as many years by
other means. The letters coming from
disinterested sources and through disinter-
ested media, would be eagerly read by
millions of people, and their statements
would be accepted as truthful The time
would then be ripe TO make use OF such
appliances as We could command. The
public mind would be prepared 10 accept
our statements and we TOO would soon reap
bountiful harvest.
Sacramento should view this matter
from broad and catholic standpoint. 1t
is idle 10 entertain the idea of attracting
any considerable number of immigrants to
this or any other city at this time. The
efforts of the people should be concentrated
upon building up this part Of the State.
We want population to settle it up and
develop its resources, and when this has
been accomplished the cities will have kept
pace with the growth of the country, and
Sacramento will lead all others except
San Francisco. J. T. LINTHIcUa.